New Member, My Chevy Astro Van with PHOTOS

[G0HWC]

Hi everyone,
Just joined up so here is some info on me.
I live in Clacton on Sea, Essex.
Full time truck driver, drive all over the UK
delivering beds to hotels ETC. Just for fun I
run a live web cam looking out the screen of my
truck while I drive around, the page also has a
map showing where I am.
http://www.truckcam.tv


Also a radio ham, this gives me someone to chat to
as I drive around.

I got a 95 Astro Van in march this year and seem to spend
all my spare time working on it. I have just finished
covering all the 70's look wood inside with faux leather.
loads of photos of the work as i did it HERE:
http://www.g0hwc.com/chevy_astro_build.html

Still loads to do.
Build a new centre console to house ICE, ham radio ETC
Do something with the wood in the front of the van.
Then next year decide what to do with the outside.

Any good meets worth going to in Essex ?



Paul

[GreatGranny]

Love these vans but the mpg must be horrendous unless you have LPG.

The truckcam is a great idea. My work seems to be blocking the picture at the moment.

[Mr Dave]

The interior is looking good!

The only time I saw inside one of these it was full of dragons on crystals and crystal dragons and swords with dragons AND crystals on. And deep pile carpet.

It scared me a little to be honest.

[shirt]

i can't help feeling it's some kind of mobile dogging shed to fully exploit all the sites you've seen [and video's, so it seems] whilst at work. the HAM radio being due to most doggers being so old that that's the tech level theyre happy with.

welcome to Ph btw.

[mgmrw]

Really like them, looked at a couple when sold the 200SX (wanted a dayvan).

Can't open your link due to works filter


What sort of work do they need to make them into a rival for a VW surf van? i.e. rock and roll bed, sink, small cooker.

Me & the OH would love one as an alternative to tenting. Obviously is only doing 3,000 miles a year as a "weekend bus" the mad fuel useage doesn't matter.

Also what are they like on insurance?

[soad]

Don't see many of these, must be a comfy place to sit in.

[G0HWC]

Thanks for all the replies.

I had zero NCB and fully comp insurance was only £260
that included travel to and from work from Chris at A-Plan.

As for sleeping in them, the back bench seat folds down
and the 2 seats in the middel spin round to make a full
double bed.

Fuel not too bad I get around 27mpg on a run
and to and from work and local stuff around 20mpg.
They are not V8, but V6 injection 4.3ltr
I am thinking about getting a multi point LPG
for it when i can find someone local ish to do
it for me at a decent price.

Paul

[mgmrw]

Thanks.

The plan would be to put a proper "rock n roll" bed in, and basically mimic the transporter T5 set up.

running costs are no worse than the 200SX was

[5potTurbo]

G0HWC said:

.... ham radio ETC...

Explains the Username

[G0HWC]

Looking at getting a bottom half respray now on the van.

something link this:



From bottom of van dark candy red fade into the original towards the top.
Also all the pin stripes removed. and wheels colour coded.

What would I expect to pay for something like this to be done.

Paul
http://www.g0hwc.com/chevy_astro.html

[jtwaring]

lovely van, il listen out for you, im 2E0JCB but im up in Yorkshire so doubt il catch you though!!

[G0HWC]

jtwaring said:

lovely van, il listen out for you, im 2E0JCB but im up in Yorkshire so doubt il catch you though!!

I get all over the UK in my truck and run APRS tracking in the truck
so if you see mr near you give me a call on S20

to track me and watch the live video when I am in the truck
look HERE: http://www.truckcam.tv

Paul